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Friday, January 18, 2013

FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS

LAKE LOUISE, AB -- That's right. That's where we find ourselves this weekend for a family wedding therefore blog updates have been sporadic. After all it is the off-season. But here's our weekly collection of observations from the local world of sports:

* I have no idea why CKRM football analyst John Lynch was so adamant that this photo was taken and published to this blog, but here it is! "Frenzy" asked FIVE TIMES to get a shot of him and Rider great Don Narcisse during our Rider Monday in the Sports Cage. He was quite excited about his new 2013 Grey Cup sweatshirt. It looks great.

* Don Narcisse was quite excited as well as he told us Anthony Calvillo will be the featured guest at his football camp and all-star gala in Saskatoon this spring. That's quite a coup for Narco. Details on the Saskatoon event, plus the one in Regina, will be coming in the weeks ahead.

* Have to say I was very impressed by the amount of /=S=/ I saw in Saskatoon during last weekend's visit to the Bridge City. There was evidence of the Rider Nation everywhere! Rider license plates, clothing, you name it. In the parking lot of Canadian Tire I even saw a 'Rider' truck which was a Toyota which some Rider fan had painted green and white. It's easy to see why the Riders want to enhance their visibility in Saskatchewan's largest city including holding 2013 training camp at the U of S.

* It was equally disappointing to feel a lack of buzz around the Saskatoon Blades and the 2013 Memorial Cup in that city. Granted, the Blades are in the bottom half of the WHL's East Conference standings but even that should be generating a ton of discussion. Blades play-by-play man Les Lazurak told us on the Sports Cage this week that the Blades have been given a 'free pass' by the local media unlike the 2001 Regina Pats who were getting scorched on a daily basis by reporters down here. Remember this: the Pats caught fire in the second half and ended up with 40 wins in the first round. Unfortunately they bowed out to Calgary in a six-game, first-round series and were faced with a 43-day layoff before hosting the Memorial Cup. The next few months will be very interesting for the Blades.

* Gotta say I love Saskatoon and am very much looking forward to spending a couple weeks up there in June for training camp. We needle them from time to time on the Sports Cage but that's in the spirit of the provincial rivalry. However there's nowhere near the hatred between the two cities as there is between Calgary and Edmonton.

* Former Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco was a guest on the Sports Cage this week. I asked him if he has designs on the Presidency of the Roughriders once Jim Hopson decides to pass the torch. Pat said that it's a "dream job" and "down the road you never know".

* God only knows if Tim Tebow is going to wind up in the CFL. Literally. Even Tebow himself said it's in the hands of the Man Upstairs however it's generated a lot of discussion this week. On Monday's Sports Cage Don Narcisse said he thinks Tebow would be a failure in the CFL and that he'd hate to be a receiver on Tebow's team because you'd never see the ball. Former Bomber coach Paul Lapolice was on that show as well and said Tebow's accuracy problems would be a hindrance in the CFL.

* How can anyone know for sure how Tebow would fare until he comes up here? Last I heard the Montreal Alouettes own his rights. Many, including me, thought Ricky Williams would tear up the CFL in 2004 to the tune of 300 yards per game but he was ineffective up until the point the Riders' Mike McCullough broke his arm in August of 2006 and ended his season.

* Speaking of Paul Lapolice, we asked him what 2013 will hold for him. He says he has the luxury of time on his side as he still has one more year to be paid out by the Blue Bombers. He said if TSN wants him back as a panelist he would gladly embrace the opportunity although he has a burning desire to coach again. He would have to be considered a front-runner for the Montreal job.

* In the final analysis, Marc Trestman's hiring in Chicago is universally seen as a good thing for the CFL. One CFL governor told me this week it's the best thing to happen to our league in years. Sportsnet's Arash Madani said on the Cage that it "legitmizes" the CFL. It appears Marc is only the fourth CFL head coach to take over the same role in the NFL. Bud Grant, Marv Levy and Hugh Campbell are the others. **UPDATE: He it appears mark is the SIXTH to do so. Add in there Mike Riley and Forrest Gregg.

* Back to Tebow for a second. It's hard to believe no one will take a chance on him for 2013. Even David Caldwell, GM of Tebow's hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, said last week he can't see any scenario whereby Tebow would be a Jaguar. Coming off a 2-14 season, you'd think they'd be willing to give him a shot.

* The rumour business in sports is an interesting one. ESPN's senior NFL insider Chris Mortenson said recently it was a foregone conclusion that Tebow would sign in Jacksonville which prompted the statement from Caldwell. Like I said a few weeks ago, 90% of the rumours you hear turn out to be false.

* Everybody in sports loves to hear the rumours and gossip but hate when they're a part of it.

* On ESPN Radio this week Mortenson discussed the business of reporting on the NFL coaching carousel. He said "generally when you hear of a 'mystery candidate', that guy ends up getting the job."

* There was a tremendous discussion this week on Fox Sports Radio's Dan Patrick Show about the factors which go into a coach's decision on taking a job. Patrick figured when it comes down to a what a city has to offer, the coaches likely think about what it offers their family. That's because the coaches "never see the light of day" during their work weeks and rarely get to experience the cities themselves. Their families do.

* On the topic of sports radio, Fox's new Jay Mohr Sports Show which airs over the midday is nothing short of phenomenal. As the host of the show, Mohr seems to have taken on the persona of sports agent Bob Sugar from the movie Jerry McGuire, who Mohr played in the film.

* However my two favourite shows are still ESPN's In The Herd with Colin Cowherd and Fox's The Loose Cannons with Pat O'Brien and Steve Hartman. Listening to those shows just makes you feel good inside.

* The Football Reporters of Canada were asked for the 2012 CFL Coach of the Year this week. One has to wonder how many votes the Riders' Corey Chamblin will garner and if he'll end up being a finalist. Ken Miller coached three years in Saskatchewan and was a finalist each season.

* From the blog mailbag: our good friend "K-Dogg" sent in this photo of he and Blue Bomber great Chris Walby from a sports dinner in Brandon this week. Walby was an absolute treat to be around when he was doing colour commentary on CBC's CFL broadcasts. Hopefully he finds his way back into the booth some day soon.

* Former Regina Pats captain Victor Bartley is in training camp with the NHL's Nashville Predators after being called up from the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals this week. He joins an illustrious group of former Pats in the NHL which includes, if memory serves, Jordan Eberle, Barret Jackman, Brad Stuart, Josh Harding, Colton Orr and Derek Morris. If you can think of any more, please add them in the comments section.

* Whatever happened to Nick Ross? He was a first round pick of Phoenix in 2007 but I've lost track of him. Obviously he's in the minors somewhere.

* Regina hockey insiders Al Dumba and Jared Dumba are working on a feature for the Monday Morning Goalie which we hope to have up and running soon. We're hoping to reprise the old "Minding The Minors" feature from the Leader Post sports section which was an incredibly popular weekly feature. If you can think of local guys, and former Pats, who you'd like us to keep tabs on please leave their names in the comments section. Players like Matt Hubbauer, Josh Holden and Brett Lysak come to mind.

* A local hockey note: Troy Murray, son of Tampa Bay Lightning scout Al Murray of Regina, is plying his trade as a WHL linesman. He worked last Friday's Pats-Hitmen game in the Brandt Centre and did a great job. He's also a member of the Notre Dame Hounds Junior A squad.

* Loved hearing a local radio news-reader refer to Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco as "Joe Fiacco" on the radio this week. I can see how the mistake could be made.

* Plans are underway for the Sports Cage Marlin Travel Ultimate Sports Trip III and proposed destinations are Miami and New York. We've been bringing back momentos from our trips and the first year we brought back a foam Cardinals head while this year we brought back a pair of Hooters shorts from Dallas. Unfortunately those Hooters shorts were stolen off the wall at the Press Box Sports Bar recently! We're feverishly working to get another pair from the server "Nasty" who donated them to the cause last month.

* No wonder Kevin O'Leary, star of CBC's Dragon's Den, is so rich! He's charging $200 a ticket to see him speak in Regina later this month!

* Don't forget the Press Box Sports Bar's Friday lunch buffet. 11am-1pm at 909 Albert St. N.
* That's all! Be sure to get out and enjoy Friday's Regina Pats home game against Kootenay if you get the opportunity. 620 CKRM has the call at 7:00.

Actually, Walby was in town to speak at an event in conjunction with Manitoba Ag Days. He's a great guy and talked about his love for Regina, especially how well he was treated whenever the Bombers played here. Just goes to show that once the rivalry on the field cools off the mutual respect is always there.

Great Pic of John with the Grey Cup logo. Does anyone know where you can get a hat with that particular logo on it? I have checked all over but nobody has them.They have other Grey Cup hats,but not with that logo.

I seldom comment, however I looked at a few of the comments on "FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS". I do have a couple of questions for you if it's okay. Could it be just me or do some of the responses look like they are written by brain dead people? :-P And, if you are writing on other online sites, I would like to keep up with everything new you have to post. Would you list of every one of all your social community pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?Also see my web site > location automobile longue durée entre particulier

In response to the fellow that rarely comments, and then a couple of my own points.

1) Absolutely yes a number of the comments on here are from not so much "brain dead" people, but there is a real cognitive dissonance going on with many of them. They are not based on reality, and when the fur is really flying on here it's from fans who exist within their own minds.

2) In response to Arash Madani. Now for the most part I like his commentary on Sportscage, and he adds a lot to the show. He has a classy delivery, and seems like the type of guy who although he's plugged into a lot of things he seems genuinely humbled about his lot in the media life. His comment about Trestman's Chicago hiring now it "legitmizes" the CFL is completely out to lunch and wrong. I can only guess he's a younger guy with no idea of the 100+ year history of the CFL. The CFL was legitimized when Marv Levy went from Head Coach of Montreal winning 2 Grey Cups to having a HOF career as a Head Coach in the NFL. He was a Scott Norwood field goal miss away from winning a Super Bowl. The CFL was legitimate when Hugh Campbell took Warren Moon to the NFL in Houston and revolutionized offense for that time. The CFL was legitimate when Mike Riley won a Grey Cup then took over and rejevenated a nondescript Pac 10 Oregon to the point that school now plays for BSC Championships. Riley was the guy who started the foundation there, and then went to San Diego. The CFL was legitimate when Doug Flutie being out of that league for 9 years walked into Buffalo and took the NFL by storm. The list of CFL guys who went there and made an impact are many. NFL guys coming to the CFL and doing the same are few and far between. Marc Trestman is even singing the league's praises as it got him where he always wanted to go.

The CFL doesn't require anyone to legitimize it, and it proves the old adage is true that if you are good enought "they" will find you.

3) When Pat Fiacco left public office he ceased being a public figure, but since he wades into the public forum it is only fitting to add commentary to what he spews. In business there comes a point in time when it is time for the Salesman to stop talking, and let the product sell itself. If you look very closely at the record aside from a markelting campaign which was lifted from New York, I will agree Regina's psyche has changed somewhat. However he never ran the City of Regina he only gave orders to Glen Davies, and the result was leaving a big mess. This mess and neglect got the citizens a 4% tax increase. Another tax increase upon the many levied while he was Mayor.

Mr. Fiacco was elected with no real tangible experience as a CEO. His career was sales based, in the crown sector mind you. The Sales Reps were unionized in the organization he was in prior to becoming Mayor. Now instead of publicly campaigning for a job that is not even open let's see how he runs a secondary level treasury Crown Corportation. So far he stuck his foot in his mouth, and let's see if he meets the outcomes set out for him by Cabinet. As much as politics always plays into things Premier Wall has shown he will not put up with much so if it's all fluff and outcomes not being met Mr. Fiacco will have a short run there.

Mike Riley took over Oregon State in Corvallis Oregon, not the University of Oregon in Eugene Oregon. That was Chip Kelly, now the Eagles new HC. The Oregon State Beavers are an average team in the Pac 10, but are much improved under Riley, that is for sure.

Apologies I was typing fast and meant Oregon State. That was a non descript school. Agreed, he's improved them wholesale. Oregon always underachieved until Phil Knight decided it was better to buy an NCAA D1 team, put resources into it rather than purchase a team in the NFL. Considering what Riley has to go up against I'm surprised he does as well as he does. USC and Oregon are machines, but he holds his own that's for sure. I think Oregon started getting on track no just with Phil Knight, but brining in Dennis Erickson who won at Miami and had the NFL pedigree. Chip Kelly took it to the next level from there.

Phil Knight pumps money into Oregon as he is an alumni of the school. He has also paid for the new basketball areana which would rival most NBA areanas with exception of the Barclays Center. If you are ever in Eugene go walk the campus and you will see the results of many of Phils contributions such as the Athletic Center which is amazing! Philm Knight is no different than any other booster within the college ranks other than he has an elevated profile because he founded nike.

The CFL is not disrespected down south. Bill Polian, Carl Peterson, and there is a whole host of NFL Executives who lend credence to the CFL. The issue is they rarely take the approach of moving a CFL Head Coach into an NFL Head Coaching position or a CFL GM into an NFL GM position because the safe bet is to always go with the people you know, and travel in the same circles with. Does anyone remember Dallas Head Coach Jason Garrett backing up Damon Allen in Ottawa? Didn't think so, but that CFL experience Garrett brings is viewed as legitimate. It's the fans down there who don't have exposure to it and pay it no mind. Football is also regional. In Florida - Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville play second fiddle to FSU, Florida, and the U.

Yes Phil Knight is no different than any other booster in that the school he pumps millions into is going to be hammered on NCAA sanctions within a few weeks. Hence why Chip Kelly took off. No different than Pete Carroll bolting for Seattle. They get out of town just before the law arrives.

Phil Knight is not doing this for the kindness of mankind. He's no different than any other owner as his school is for his ego and to be used as a platform for NIKE products. If he buys an NFL team he's in conflict of interest so that will not work. This way he makes billions supplying the NFL and can still be in the game of football to get his ego stroked.

....if it were Obama he would have made a movie reference for The Usual Suspects like oh I don't know, something like the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he never existed.

Just one more small correction re: anonymous' comments about Oregon / OSU... Dennis Erickson coached at OSU between Riley's previous & current tenure as HC. Definitely Mike Bellotti (former UO coach) had an impact in making Oregon relevant on the national stage - although since Chip Kelly was his OC, Kelly was likely already making an impact.

I don't think it's Obama, because as was previously mentioned, he did not use a movie reference/quote. Then,when he closed his DRIVAL, he didn't mention that HE WAS SMARTER THAN ALL OF US(Peasants)! lol

Bruce only looks good to the Riders because of the complete lack of depth. If the Riders find any depth, Bruce will look as he is, a has been.

Just sayin, Saskatoon is a football city.

A covered stadium should be considered as part of the proposed development at Dundurn. Regina can keep their butterfly oval, the dome could be used for Grey Cups, playoffs,winter concerts and conventions. Seems like a win win.

Butterfly oval? don't be making It sound all nice and pretty, current Regina city stadium design more like a old crinkled up, over used hospital bedpan. Dundern, Saskatoon, football city? What next? Stadium build, halfway up highway # eleven?

It was my post. I also posted The Usual Suspects quote. When making a constructive comment regarding a former Politician I saw no need to sign my handle. Not when that former Politician takes the Bull Connor or Lance Armstrong approach to dealing with people who disagree with him. It's interesting to actually watch how people light up whether I signed it or not. Never mind to actually read the content and wonder if I just may have a point or two that is valid.

Never confuse intellect with understanding, and that's where I have you beat. In terms of maybe a broad knowledge base I'll grant you are on par with Robert DeNiro's character Max Cady in the movie Cape Fear.

Actually Max that's a very good discussion to have. I respectfully disagree. How many dumb Professors do you know as opposed to smart 75 year old farmers carrying arounda a Grade 8 in their pockets?

Many of us after getting educated were able to take it a step further by developing understanding. You do that by seeking out what you haven't learned in the book, and asking people a tremendous amount of questions.